Thunderbird Lodge

Thunderbird Lodge was designed by noted Nevada architect Frederic J. DeLongchamps in 1936 as a summer property for a wealthy San Francisco playboy named George Whittell. The land upon which it stood originally covered 40,000 acres and 24 miles of Lake Tahoe shoreline.

Whittell intended the lodge to be the centerpiece of a $1 million hotel-casino with a ski run, but the plan never came to fruition. What remains on six acres is the historic main building and several unique structures, not the least of which being the Elephant House that was built for "Mingo," one of Whittell's many exotic pets. Other buildings that remain include a Card House, the Caretaker's Cottage, the Cook/Butler's House, the Admiral's House, the Gatehouse, and a Boathouse with an adjoining 600-foot tunnel.

The property is today maintained by the non-profit Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society and can be rented for events, such as wedding ceremonies and receptions. It also contains a Museum Store, hosts occasional Winemakers Dinners, and offers guided tours on foot and by boat on Tuesday through Saturday by reservation only. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, the Thunderbird Lodge is located at 5000 Nevada State Highway 28, Incline Village, Nevada 89451.